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Real Madrid want Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold as 'priority signing' - Paper Round
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Updated 17/10/2024 at 08:26 GMT+1
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Real Madrid are planning to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool to solve their right-back woes, but could also add Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong to their squad after Dani Carvajal’s injury. Elsewhere, Erik ten Hag may have just seven games left at Manchester United, and Thomas Tuchel’s salary is revealed after he agreed to become England manager.
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Real target Alexander-Arnold
Real Madrid hope to sign Liverpool’s right-sided defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to The Athletic.
They have other options in mind, including Spurs right-back Pedro Porro.
The Athletic writes: “Real Madrid have made Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold a priority target.
“The Spanish club are also considering other right-back options, including Tottenham Hotspurs’ 25-year-old Spain international Pedro Porro, 23-year-old Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen and the Netherlands, and 21-year-old Spain youth international Juanlu of Sevilla.
“Several sources with close knowledge of Madrid’s current recruitment plans (who, like all those cited here, asked to remain anonymous to protect their positions) said these were the players the club have identified to reinforce in the position — with Alexander-Arnold the preferred option, but one that is only feasible if he runs down his contract at Liverpool.
“Alexander-Arnold’s existing deal expires in June 2025 and from January he will be free to negotiate a free transfer with other clubs.”
Real look at Chelsea defender Acheampong
Josh Acheampong is also being considered as an option for Real Madrid, according to the Independent.
The 18-year-old defender is being tracked by a host of clubs in the Premier League as well, but Real have also seen Joan Martinez suffer an injury, adding to their desperation.
The paper reports: “Real Madrid are considering a move for Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong this January, both as a short-term option at right-back and as the future of their backline.
“Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring the 18-year-old, although Chelsea’s insistence has been that they will not sell one of the jewels of their Cobham academy.
“Madrid have a long-standing interest in Acheampong but are now re-assessing the timescale of their plans after the injury to Dani Carvajal. That has been compounded by how back-up centre-half Joan Martinez, 17, is also out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.”
Ten Hag under pressure once more
The Mirror believes that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag may only have seven games left in charge.
Four league games, then two in the Europa League and one in the EFL Cup, could be all he has left. The report also suggests Brentford manager Thomas Frank is a candidate to take over.
The paper claims: “Erik ten Hag began the international break in grave danger of losing his job after Manchester United's worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
“He has ended it with a little more breathing space, following Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England boss and his predecessor Gareth Southgate's decision to take a prolonged break before returning to management.
“United have seven games – four in the Premier League, two in the Europa League and one in the EFL Cup – between now and then, with that run likely to determine Ten Hag's fate, even though two of the candidates to replace him are now off the market.
“But of immediate concern to Ten Hag is Saturday's game, where in the opposition dugout will be another potential successor to him in Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
“Frank's impressive work at Brentford has not gone unnoticed by those in charge at United, with the 51-year-old Dane a serious contender should Ten Hag be replaced, and Saturday's game a potential audition for him for the Old Trafford job.”
Tuchel takes reduced salary
Thomas Tuchel is now earning much less than his club management salary after recent gigs at Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
The German is going to be paid £5 million a year, according to the Evening Standard, when he takes over next year as England boss.
The paper states: “Thomas Tuchel has accepted a significant pay cut in order to take on the role of England manager.
“Tuchel was announced as the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate on Wednesday, having signed his contract with the Football Association on October 8.
“He will commence the role from January 1, 2025, and his assistant manager will be Anthony Barry, who worked with him at Chelsea as well as Bayern Munich.
“But Tuchel has now taken a further pay cut, with the FA set to pay him an annual salary of around £5m per year, after the German signed a contract until after the 2026 World Cup.”
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